Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Amendments Nos. 65, 66, 68, 70 and 71 have several aspects which arise from a series of amendments to the definitions of water services and infrastructure in section 2. Amendment No. 65 inserts a definition of 'pipes' for the purposes of the section. The amendment arises from the series of amendments in section 2 to streamline and clarify the distinction between drains, sewers, water mains, distribution systems and service connections and ensures, without the need for tedious repetition, that all are included within the scope of the section. The second and third amendments derive from the first amendment and replace existing references to sewers, drains, water supply pipes and their accessories within the text of the section, with a reference to pipes as previously defined.

Amendments Nos. 70 and 71 to subsection (12) will enable water services authorities to enter into joint agreements to interconnect any pipes and their pipe infrastructure networks. The amendments broaden the original provision, which was confined to sewers or water supply pipes, to cater for all eventualities. This aligns it with the approach of the rest of the section. The several aspects to these complementary amendments improved the Bill.